The Patrick County Board of Supervisors will hold a public hearing on a proposed Solar Facilities Ordinance on Monday, September 26, according to a draft copy of the agenda.
The meeting begins at 6 p.m. in the third-floor courtroom of the Patrick County Veteran’s Memorial Building, located at 106 Rucker Street in Stuart.
After the hearing, the board is expected to take action on the proposed ordinance.
To review the proposed Solar Facilities Ordinance, visit the County Administration Office in Suite 218 of the Patrick County Veteran’s Memorial Building, 106 Rucker Street, Stuart.
The board also is scheduled to meet in closed session to discuss personnel and contract matters.
At its most recent meeting on Sept. 12, the board approved a $10,000 bonus for fiscal year 2023 to the Blue Ridge Regional Library.
Clyde DeLoach, chairman and of the Blue Ridge District, said last month the Patrick County School Board was willing to help the board out with $10,000 for the library.
“We did not do it because we were concerned about going forward from this coming year. But the suggestion has been made to make it a bonus for one year only. Then we’ll see where we are next year,” he said.
In other matters, the board:
*Heard from Kurt Bozenmayer. A frequent speaker at board meetings, Bozenmayer also attended the board’s retreat. He said the moderator from the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service of the University of Virginia (UVA) did a good job at eliciting the needs and wants of the supervisors for the next five years of the county’s development.
He also addressed two topics from the retreat.
Doug Perry, of the Smith River District, “advanced the topic of river access and outdoor recreation and the need for expansion of those areas. Unfortunately, this led to some negative comments about the Dan River Basin Association (DRBA) streams and trails report submitted to, and rejected by, a previous board in 2013,” Bozenmayer said.
On review of the report, Bozenmayer said DRBA is specific about respecting the property rights of landowners along the streams and trails, in contrast to allegations to the contrary.
“It appears that DRBA did a lot of the research and study that can form a sound basis for an outdoor recreation plan for this county,” Bozenmayer said, and added that DRBA’s report should be reexamined for its current value. He also noted that the county should try to rebuild its relationship with DRBA in the interest of potential future cooperation.
Noting the county lags behind its neighbors in not having an Arts and Music Council as in other localities, Bozenmayer said, “considering that the town of Stuart is looking to acquire the Star Theater, I suggest that we might bring together representatives from the town, the Patrick County Music Association (PCMA), One Family Productions, WHEO Radio, and others to consider forming such an oversight group.”
Too much of the county’s progress is hindered by negative attitudes, he said.
“When the possibility of regional water and sewer service for Meadows of Dan was (recently) raised, immediately the comments turned to ground contamination” and other potential negatives “instead of positive suggestions for how this might be accomplished,” Bozenmayer said.
In other matters, the board:
*Discussed the need for communication devices for maintenance and other departments.
Brandon Simmons, of the Dan River District, said he spoke with Patrick County Schools Superintendent Jason Wood to see if the district would be interested in doing a potential joint purchase for communication devices.
Wood “said that they’re actually getting ready to go to digital and get new repeaters and we could have their old repeaters,” Simmons said.
*Approved the meeting minutes.
*Approved the bills, claims, and appropriations.
*Discussed Request For Proposals (RFPs) that will be going out to bid for website, waste management, and health insurance.
*Discussed American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) requests and approved an additional $55.95 for another panic button for the Patrick County Treasurer’s Office.
*Heard the County Administrator’s report.
*Heard the Supervisors’ committee reports.
*Nominated Tim Davis for the Recreation Committee.
*Nominated Ron Haley for another four-year term on the Economic Development Authority (EDA).
*Dissolved the Personnel Advisory Committee.
